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can be used to disseminate information in a variety of languages and in
geographically distant or restricted areas.
Although the use of the fax machine (44%) stood out as an important
activity, particularly in South Africa, it scored dismally in Kenya (16.0%).
Furthermore, not many rural women use ICTs for activities such as data
processing and e-commerce. E-commerce scored a low average of 20.5% in
rural KZN (SA) and 17.0% in rural RVP (Kenya), and data processing
garnered 29.0% in rural KZN (SA) and 23.0% in rural RVP (Kenya). As
pointed out in Chapter 5.8.1 on empowering women, Marcelle (2002:3).
argues that advanced applications such as e-commerce can only be
supported by appropriate infrastructure and sound supporting policies.
According to Marcelle, 85% of the world's commerce websites are US-based,
and not many people possess visa cards. Hafkin and Taggart (2001: 1), in
chapter 5.2, also argue that women are unable to benefit from the
knowledge economy as they lack scientific and technical education.
The NCRF also uses the radio to provide information, entertain and educate
the community. The Community radio, which was initiated in 1993 in
Orlando, Soweto, by the NCRF has built "an enabling environment and a
coherent sector identity - ensuring continued healthy growth of community
radio in South Africa." Worth noting here is that with the exception of the
NCRF (which mainly uses the community radio), the type of ICTs used by
organisations such as AfriAfya, ALIN-EA and Women'sNet, move beyond the
scope of the radio. Modern technologies like the computer/Internet and
satellite are also used in a bid to promote information exchange. For
instance, ALIN-EA was the pioneer in the use of world space satellite
technologies in the East African region, thus enabling communities in
marginalised areas such as Isiolo, Homa-Bay, Garissa, Magadi, Isinya,
Marsabit, Nyahururu and Kyuso-Mwingi in Kenya, and communites in
Shinyanga, Dodoma and Kayanga in Tanzania to receive timely information
on sustainable development, markets and better livelihoods. By working in
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